Valve operating buttons for aerosol dispensers



April 6, 1965 J. R. FOCHT 3,176,888-

VALVE OPERATING BUTTONS FOR AEROSOL DISPENSERS Filed Jan. 4, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet l J lOCL E Ha 4 INVENTOR 3a JEJHM 1901920 FOCHT BY M AT TORNEY' April 6,1965 3,176,888 I VALVE OPERATING BUTTONS FOR AEROSOL DISPENSERS R FOCHT 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 4, 1963 INVENTOR. HM BCHHQD FOcHT ATTORNEY- .1. R. FOCHT 3,176,888

VALVE OPERATING BUTTONS FOR AEROSOL DISPENSERS April 6, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 4, 1963 i5 INVENTOR.

1w Romeo F60- Arfbnusv United States Patent 3,176,888 VALVE GPERATING BUTTONS FUR AEROGL DISPENSERS John-Richard I ocht, Yonkers, N.Y., assignor to Precision Valve Corporation, Yonkers, N.Y., a corporation of New York Fiied Ian. 4, 1963, Ser. No. 249,432 10 Ciairns. (Cl. 222-394) This invention relates to valve operating buttons for aerosol dispensers.

Buttons of the general character described are adapted to be mounted upon the tubular valve stems of aerosol containers and are provided therein with a fluid flow duct leading to a discharge outlet from which the material is discharged in the form of a spray. Ordinarily these buttons are such that the character and volume of the spray discharged during any particular increment of time is substantially constant.

Attempts have been made to so constitute such buttons that the volume and character of the spray delivered at the discharge outlet may be varied at will by the operator. These prior constructions, however, have, in the majority of cases, been of complicated nature, diflicult to make by conventional injection molding technique and often diflicult to operate by the users.

The object of the present invention is to provide extremely simple button constructions which may be eco nomically and efiiciently injection molded of appropriate plastics and which will provide for finely graduated adjustment so that the spray discharged from the button may be varied within relatively wide limits according to the will of the operator.

Speaking generally, the button of the present invention is provided with a socket in which is seated a plug. A flow passage fluid flow duct is formed in the body of the button and in the plug. This fluid flow duct, collectively formed in the two parts stated, leads to the discharge outlet of the button but the fluid flow duct is so formed that rotation of the plug, by means of an appropriate finger piece, will control the volumetric flow of aerosol liquid to the outlet opening of the button and thus control the discharge of such aerosol liquid to the atmosphere.

Features of the invention, other than those adverted to,

- will be apparent from the hereinafter detailed description and appended claims, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The accompanying drawings illustrate different practical embodiments of the invention, but the construction therein shown are to be understood as illustrative, only, and not as defining the limits of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one forrn of button embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical section on the broken line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a button, illustrating a modified form of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a further modified form of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a section on the line 66 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a plan View of a button, showing another form of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a section on the line 88 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of still another form of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a section on the line 1i1i of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a button embodying another form of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a vertical section taken on the line 12I2 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is another vertical section taken on the line 13-13 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a button exhibiting a further modified form of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a vertical section on the broken line 115 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a button illustrating a further modified form of the invention.

FIG. 17 is a section on the line 1717 of FIG. 16.

All forms of the invention shown in the several figures of the drawings have the fundamental feature of this invention in that they utilize a valve operating button with a socket to receive a rotatable plug which, when manually adjusted by an operator, will vary the flow of fluid to the 'dischargeoutlet of the button and in some cases provide for a sealing of said outlet during periods between dispensing operations.

In the construction of FIGS. 1 and 2, the button comprises a body or a body portion 1 having at its bottom a cavity 2 adapted to receive the tubular valve stem of an aerosol dispenser, such, for example, as shown in Abplanalp Patent No. 2,631,814.

In the upper portion of the button is a cylindrical socket 3 and in this socket is seated a rotatable plug 4, provided at its top with a laterally extending finger piece 5. The finger piece is seated within a depressed angular recess 6 in the upper surface of the body, which recess is of sulficient arcuate dimension to permit oscillation of the finger piece 5 for the purpose of rotating the plug 4 within the socket 3. The interior of the socket has formed therein an annular head 7, received in an annular channel, as

clearly shown in FIG. 2. This bead and channel coopcrate to preclude inadvertent displacement of the plug from the socket while permitting free rotation of the plug.

Between the cavity 2 and the socket 3 is formed a partition 8. Extending through this partition is an off-center circular opening 9. Within the plug is formed a horizontal passage 10 leading to an upright passage 11 which is at all times in communication with the outlet of the dis: charge outlet 12 of the button. The opening 9 and the passages 10 and 11 of the plug and the outlet 12 collectively form a fluid flow duct leading from the cavity 2 through the button. The passage 10 is so positioned with respect to the opening 9 that, when the plug is in the position shown in FIG. 1, said passage 10 does not register with the opening 9 and accordingly the passage through the plug to the discharge opening is sealed at this point. If, however, the finger piece 5 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow 13 in FIG. 1, the passage 10 will be caused to progressively unseal portions of the opening 9, so as to admit correspondingly greater portions of the aerosol material to the combination passages through the plug leading to the discharge outlet. By thus regulating the position of the finger piece 5, the operator may control the volume of liquid flow to said discharge outlet and thereby control the amount of aerosol liquid dispensed from the container.

In the structure of FIGS. 1 and 2, the fluid outlet duct is sealed at the upper end of the opening g when the parts are in the position shown in FIG. 1, the passage 11 being sufficiently broad, so as not to seal the discharge outlet per se in any position of the finger piece 5.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 a construction is shown wherein the sealing of the fluid flow duct is accomplished at the inner end of the discharge outlet 12a. In this showing the opening 9a, which corresponds to the opening 9, is positioned coaxially of the plug 4a. The passage Iiia at all times registers with the opening 9a, but the passage Hat is made reiatively narrow, as shown in FIG. 3, so that its Width is just about equal to the diameter of the inner end of the discharge outiet 12a. In the position of the fingerpiece 5a, shown in FIG. 3, the passage 11a comopening 9c.

pletely registers with the discharge outlet 12a so that a maximum flow of fluid through the button is obtained. However, if the finger piece a is moved in a clockwise directiomas indicated by the arrow 13a in FIG. 3, the overlap of the passage llawith the discharge outlet 12a ,will be progressively diminished unti-lthe linger piece has been moved clockwise for its full travel, whereupon the passage 11a will no longer overlap the discharge outlet 12a and the fluid passage 11a, a and the opening 9a will be completely sealed at the discharge outlet. A construction of this kind is particularly desirable where paints or other materials, which will rapidly dry or harden are to be sprayed for by sealing the fluid outlet duct at the discharge outlet the paint which is contained in the button will not dry or harden and render the button inoperative to pass such liquids. In other respects than those noted, the parts of FIGS. 3 and 4 are the same as in the structure of FIGS. land 2.

The modified form of theinvention shownin FIGS. 5

" and 6 embodies in effect the combination of the features correspondingly narrow so as to also shut off or close the inner end of the discharge outlet 12b. FIGS. 5 and 6 thus provide a double closure of the fluid flow duct, when the plug is appropriately operated by the finger piece 5b.

In the button of FIGS. 7 and 8, the partition 80 is provided with two openings 90 and 9cc spaced at opposite sides of the axis of the plug 4c. The passage 100 which leads to the passage 110, the latter of which corresponds to the passage 11 of FIGS. 1 and 2, is of T-shape configuration having two branches 14 and 15, so related to one 7 another and to the openings 9c and 9ccf that, when the finger piece 5c is in the position shown in FIG. 7, the branch 15 will register with the opening 9cc, while the branch 15 will be out of registration with the'opening 90.

However, if the finger piece 50 is moved counterclockwise, the branch 14 will be brought into progressive registration "with the opening 9c, while the branch 15 continues to register with the opening 900. In this manner, the branch snvassav of spray by merely rotating the plug although no means is provided in this particular construction for actually shutting off the fiuid fiow duct through the button.

In the button shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the partition Sf is. provided with an opening 9 corresponding to the opening 9a. This opening is coaxial of the plug 4) and is at all times in registration with passage 10] leading to passage 11 which, as shown best in FIG. 14, is of tapered 'arcuate form. When the finger piece 5, is in the position 15 and the opening 90c will he at all times in registration irrespective of the position of the finger piece, so as to v deliver a minimum amount of spray. At the same time the operator can increase the amount of spray delivered by the amount of overlap between the branch 14 and the In this construction, both openings 9c and 9cc are never colectively entirely sealed.

In the button shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the opening 9d in the partition 8a is positioned off center of the axis of the plug 4a, while the passage 10d in the under side of the plug is provided with two branches .16 and 17, the former of which is of less size than the latter and both of which merge into the common passage 10d which leadsto pas 102 which, as shown in FIG. 13, is longitudinally tapered. When the finger piece 52 is in the position shown in FIG. 11, the shallow portion of the passage 10c will regis .ter with the opening 9e and a relatively small amount of spray will be passed to the discharge outlet. However, as

the button is rotated in a clockwise direction, a greater portion of the depth of the passage 10e will be brought into registration with the opening 9e and a correspondingly I greater portion of liquid will be passed through the dis- .charge outlet. The opera-WI may thus control theamount shown in FI G. 14, the entire arcuate portion of the passage 11 is out of registration with the discharge outlet 12 and consequently the fiuid flow'duct composed of the I parts 11 19 and 9 are sealed at the discharge outlet 12 However, when the finger piece 5 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction progressively greater volumetric areas of the tapered arcuate passage ilf will be brought into register with the discharge outlet 12f and a correspondingly greater flow of liquid will be discharged through said outlet. In this manner the operator may control the discharge at will simply by manipulating the finger piece 5 In the button of FIGS. 16 and 17, the partition 8g is provided with two openings 8g and 9gg, the latter of which is larger than the former. The plug 4g is provided on its under side with a passage 10g having two branches 18 and 19 merging into the common passage ltlg leadingto the passage 11g which corresponds to the passage 11 of FIGS. 1 and 2. When the finger piece 5g is in the position shown in FIG. 16, the branch 19 will register with the opening 9gg to deliver a maximum amount of'liquid to the button, but if the finger piece 5g is moved in a counterclockwise direction,the branch 19 will be moved out of registration with the opening 9gg while the branch 18 Will be moved into registration with the opening 9g to deliver a materially less portion of liquid to the discharge outlet. 7 a I It should be noted that in the several figures, the arrow shaped portion 241 is formed by a depression in the upper surface of the button and indicates the direction in which the discharge outlet points, so that the operator will know how to hold the container during the operation of the button. 7

In each .form of the invention described, the button is mounted on the valve stem in a manner conventional to aerosol dispensers. These dispensers contain aerosolliquids under pressure and, when the button is pressed, the

valve of the dispenser is opened and the liquid is fed through the button in the manner hereinbefore described under complete control of the operator as to the amount of aerosol material embodied inthe spray pattern.

All the buttons hereinbefore'described can be economically manufactured according to Well known injection die practice and the plug can be assembled in the body of the button by simply'springing it in place to bring the head of the button body into the peripheral channel of the plug. The plug engages the socket in' which it is housed with a close rotatable fit and the bead 7 serves to seal the leakage.

The structure of this invention is extremely simple yet thoroughly efficient and easily operable in the performance of its intended functions. It provides for very nice adjustment of the flow through decreasing or increasing volume at all times under the control of the operator. Furthermore, the structure is such as to be absolutely sanitary and capable of use With an infinite variety of pressure packed materials.

The foregoing detailed description sets forth the invention in its preferred practical forms, but the invention is to be understood as fully commensurate with the appended claims.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination an aerosol container having a valve operated hollow stem for fiow of the container contents and an aerosol valve operating button having ,a cavity to joint betweenthe plug and the wall of the socket against receive the valve stem, said operating button comprising: a socket, a plug seated in said socket, there being a fluid fiow duct leading from the cavity through the plug to the exterior of the button, with a portion of said duct in the plug movable with the plug into varying registering relation including complete de-registration with another portion of said duct at the Wall of said socket, and means for manually rotating said plug to vary the registration between said portions of the duct in order to control the amount of material passing through said duct and when desired to provide a seal between the fluid flow duct and the exterior of the button.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the portion of the duct within the plug is movable into and out of registering relation with a portion of said duct in the wall of the socket.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein a portion of said duct leads from the socket to the exterior of the button.

4. The combination of claim 2, wherein a portion of said duct leads from the socket to the exterior of the button.

5. In combination an aerosol container having a hollow valve operated stem for flow of the container contents and an aerosol operating button comprising: a body portion provided in its lower portion with a cavity to receive the valve stem and in its upper portion with a socket spaced from the cavity by an interposed partition having therein an opening, and a discharge outlet leading from the socket to the exterior of the button, and a plug rotatably seated in the socket and having passages extending from a position in communication with the opening in the partition to the discharge outlet, and means for rotating the plug to vary the relationship, including de-registration of the passages, between the passages of the plug, the opening in the partition and said discharge outlet to control the capacity of the button to deliver material therethrough and when desired to provide a seal between the fluid flow duct and the exterior of the button.

6. The combination of claim 5, wherein one of the passages of the plug adjacent the discharge outlet is of such size that when the plug is in one terminal position of its rotation, the discharge outlet will be sealed.

7. The combination of claim 5, wherein one of the passages of the plug is of such size that in one terminal 6 position of rotation of the plug, the opening in said partition will be sealed.

8. The combination of claim 5, wherein one of the passages of the plug is of tapered formation to pass different quantities of material to the discharge outlet at difierent rotary positions of the plug.

9. An aerosol valve operating button comprising: a body portion provided in its lower portion with a cavity to receive the valve stem of an aerosol dispenser and in its upper portion with a socket spaced from the cavity by an interposed partition having therein an opening, and a discharge outlet leading from the socket to the exterior of the button, in combination with a plug rotatably seated in the socket and having passages extending from a position in communication with the opening in the partition to the discharge outlet and wherein at least one of the passages of the plug has branch passages of different size adapted to be selectively brought into registration with the opening in the partition to pass a greater or lesser amount of material from the plug, and means for rotating the plug to vary the relationship between the passages of the plug, the opening in the partition and said discharge outlet to control the capacity of the button to deliver material therethrough.

10. An aerosol valve operating button according to claim 9, wherein the partition has a plurality of openings, one of the passages in the plug being shaped and positioned to selectively and collectively register with one or both of said openings.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 511,728 12/93 Deming 251-207 X 704,522 7/02 Douglas 251--310 740,941 10/03 Souders 251-310 2,424,328 7/47 Pars 251209 2,699,776 1/55 Alexander 251-310 X 2,858,852 11/58 Lamar 137--625.32 2,887,273 5/59 Anderson et a1. 2,997,243 8/61 Kolb 239394 X 3,083,872 4/63 Meshbe-rg 239394 X RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner.

M. CARY NELSON, Examiner. 

9. AN AEROSOL VALVE OPENING BUTTON COMPRISING: A BODY PORTION PROVIDED IN ITS LOWER PORTION WITH A CAVITY TO RECEIVE THE VALVE STEM OF AN AEROSOL DISPENSER AND IN ITS UPPER PORTION WITH A SOCKET SPACED FROM THE CAVITY BY AN INTERPOSED PARTITION HAVING THEREIN AN OPENING, AND A DISCHARGE OUTLET LEADING FROM THE THE SOCKET TO THE EXTERIOR OF THE BOTTOM, IN COMBINATION WITH A PLUG ROTATABLY SEATED IN THE SOCKET AND HAVING PASSAGES EXTENDING FROM A POSITION IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE OPENING IN THE PARTITION TO THE DISCHARGE OUTLET AND WHEREIN AT LEAST ONE OF THE PASSAGES OF THE PLUG HAS BRANCH PASSAGES OF DIFFERENT SIZE ADPATED TO BE SELECTIVELY BROUGHT INTO REGISTRATION WITH THE OPENING IN THE PARTITION TO PASS A GREATER OR LESSER AMOUNT OF MATERIAL FROM THE PLUG, AND MEANS FOR ROTATING THE PLUG TO VARY THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PASSAGES OF THE PLUG, THE OPENING IN THE PARTITION AND SAID DISCHARGE OUTLET TO CONTROL THE CAPACITY OF THE BOTTON TO DELIVER MATERIAL THERETHROUGH. 